RPI is a challenging school and is for those who are technically oriented. I was always the top of my class in high school and now I fight for every A, which is the challenge I was looking for all my life. If someone does not like the idea of being required to take physics and calculus, this school is not for you. However, there aren't any true English classes, so there is a trade-off. What everyone hears about the ratio is true, there are far more males than females, but this is the nature of an engineering school that used to be all-male.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
1. Study early, study often - this school is unforgiving for those who do not put in work for their grade. 2. Have a social life, no matter how small. Friends will help on those nights when you don't sleep studying for an exam, especially friends in your major, they will be right there with you. 3. Don't feel overwhelmed (or at least try) - this school has ridiculous amounts of work and reverse grade inflation, one can do well if they keep on top of things, get help when they need it, and keep trying. 4. The professors are people too, you can make friends with them, this may help your grade depending on the professor.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Hahahahaha, oh my. RPI. Well, it's crazy ridiculous. Even the art majors I know have lots of work but it is generally within the scope of reason. There will be a few sleepless study nights, but not every night (unless you need help). RPI has a reputation for being rigorous and it delivers on that promise.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I have only had that RPI kid roommates, the crazy kind that has some sort of disorder and really needs help but is a genius. There are mostly normal, amazing people there who are easy to make friends with though, so don't be scared. That being said, I always ended up with the crazies, however, the room change process is a breeze so you can change and be with people you like if the first one doesn't work out. Later on there are ample opportunities to have a single room and do whatever you want or to room with friends.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I have never gone hungry because the food is too gross, but I have ended up eating pizza in the main dining hall many a night. In general if parents are going to be on campus the food is amazing, and it is also slightly better during the main prospective students touring season. Compared to other schools we have gourmet dining from what I have heard, but it is sometimes difficult to find a healthy option that is palatable.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
You're in Capitaland of New York, minutes from the capital, and a major airport, train, and bus station that can take you anywhere. In Troy itself there is an active nightlife with restaurants, bars, and clubs. There are concerts and cultural events on campus put on in EMPAC (a lovely new building for performing arts), there's a church and several religious clubs if you're into that, there are literally hundreds of clubs, service organizations, frats, sports teams, and many combinations thereof. My favorite are the acapella groups and (my favorite) the RPI idiots, RPI's best and only improv comedy troupe. There's always some event going on, and if there isn't you can make one with your friends.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
For the buck? This school is EXPENSIVE. I have an almost maximum financial aid package and still end up paying $10,000 a year. But, for the name of the school on the diploma it is so worth it. There are good times if you let there be, college doesn't need to be all work (or all play). There are so many things to do and get involved in and you are getting a top notch education and you will be just WAITING for someone to ask where you go to college so you can off-handedly say oh, just a little place called RPI, it's in upstate New York, ever heard of it? Watch jaws drop and listen to people say wow, you must be so smart, congratulations!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Freshman hill always has tightrope walkers practicing. We don't have a tightrope or acrobatics club as far as I know, they just all gather. There's the big hockey game every year called The Big Red Freak-out where most of the campus pulls out all the stops to cheer on our boys in the rink.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
The technically minded (math, physics, engineering, computer gurus) student who doesn't mind selling their soul for their GPA or who doesn't mind only getting a 3.5 (that's an amazing grade at RPI). Keep in mind most graduate and professional schools know of RPI's reverse grade-inflation so they know a 3.5 there translates to a 3.95 elsewhere.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
So many interesting clubs, sports (normal and intramural), and activities. I joined 14 clubs at the beginning of freshman year and have since painfully paired it down to two, the more difficult part would be not being involved.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There's dozens of frats and sororities. There are always parties going on and the first month or so of each semester they put on big fun events for anyone to swing by. Also for the ladies: most frat parties you can automatically get in free, you usually don't need to be on the list and so that is the trade-off for being the minority at the technical school, guys like girls to hang around.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
You are in downtown in a rough city. I know of quite a few people who were attacked walking to a far away dorm from the main part of campus. Most places to live are on the main part of campus, which I would as a small female, walk around on at any time of day and feel perfectly safe, but not through Troy at night. There are safety pillars with public safety call buttons on them so you can call for a ride or an escort if you feel unsafe. There are only 6 really off-campus living areas and there is a shuttle that goes around to all of them from 7a.m. to 11 p.m. so there is no reason to be unsafe most of the time. But, again, the neighborhood is rough and we are right by a large high school, where a lot of trouble stems from.
RPI is a challenging school and is for those who are technically oriented. I was always the top of my class in high school and now I fight for every A, which is the challenge I was looking for all my life. If someone does not like the idea of being required to take physics and calculus, this school is not for you. However, there aren't any true English classes, so there is a trade-off. What everyone hears about the ratio is true, there are far more males than females, but this is the nature of an engineering school that used to be all-male.
1. Study early, study often - this school is unforgiving for those who do not put in work for their grade. 2. Have a social life, no matter how small. Friends will help on those nights when you don't sleep studying for an exam, especially friends in your major, they will be right there with you. 3. Don't feel overwhelmed (or at least try) - this school has ridiculous amounts of work and reverse grade inflation, one can do well if they keep on top of things, get help when they need it, and keep trying. 4. The professors are people too, you can make friends with them, this may help your grade depending on the professor.
Hahahahaha, oh my. RPI. Well, it's crazy ridiculous. Even the art majors I know have lots of work but it is generally within the scope of reason. There will be a few sleepless study nights, but not every night (unless you need help). RPI has a reputation for being rigorous and it delivers on that promise.
I have only had that RPI kid roommates, the crazy kind that has some sort of disorder and really needs help but is a genius. There are mostly normal, amazing people there who are easy to make friends with though, so don't be scared. That being said, I always ended up with the crazies, however, the room change process is a breeze so you can change and be with people you like if the first one doesn't work out. Later on there are ample opportunities to have a single room and do whatever you want or to room with friends.
I have never gone hungry because the food is too gross, but I have ended up eating pizza in the main dining hall many a night. In general if parents are going to be on campus the food is amazing, and it is also slightly better during the main prospective students touring season. Compared to other schools we have gourmet dining from what I have heard, but it is sometimes difficult to find a healthy option that is palatable.
You're in Capitaland of New York, minutes from the capital, and a major airport, train, and bus station that can take you anywhere. In Troy itself there is an active nightlife with restaurants, bars, and clubs. There are concerts and cultural events on campus put on in EMPAC (a lovely new building for performing arts), there's a church and several religious clubs if you're into that, there are literally hundreds of clubs, service organizations, frats, sports teams, and many combinations thereof. My favorite are the acapella groups and (my favorite) the RPI idiots, RPI's best and only improv comedy troupe. There's always some event going on, and if there isn't you can make one with your friends.
For the buck? This school is EXPENSIVE. I have an almost maximum financial aid package and still end up paying $10,000 a year. But, for the name of the school on the diploma it is so worth it. There are good times if you let there be, college doesn't need to be all work (or all play). There are so many things to do and get involved in and you are getting a top notch education and you will be just WAITING for someone to ask where you go to college so you can off-handedly say oh, just a little place called RPI, it's in upstate New York, ever heard of it? Watch jaws drop and listen to people say wow, you must be so smart, congratulations!
Freshman hill always has tightrope walkers practicing. We don't have a tightrope or acrobatics club as far as I know, they just all gather. There's the big hockey game every year called The Big Red Freak-out where most of the campus pulls out all the stops to cheer on our boys in the rink.
The technically minded (math, physics, engineering, computer gurus) student who doesn't mind selling their soul for their GPA or who doesn't mind only getting a 3.5 (that's an amazing grade at RPI). Keep in mind most graduate and professional schools know of RPI's reverse grade-inflation so they know a 3.5 there translates to a 3.95 elsewhere.
So many interesting clubs, sports (normal and intramural), and activities. I joined 14 clubs at the beginning of freshman year and have since painfully paired it down to two, the more difficult part would be not being involved.
There's dozens of frats and sororities. There are always parties going on and the first month or so of each semester they put on big fun events for anyone to swing by. Also for the ladies: most frat parties you can automatically get in free, you usually don't need to be on the list and so that is the trade-off for being the minority at the technical school, guys like girls to hang around.
You are in downtown in a rough city. I know of quite a few people who were attacked walking to a far away dorm from the main part of campus. Most places to live are on the main part of campus, which I would as a small female, walk around on at any time of day and feel perfectly safe, but not through Troy at night. There are safety pillars with public safety call buttons on them so you can call for a ride or an escort if you feel unsafe. There are only 6 really off-campus living areas and there is a shuttle that goes around to all of them from 7a.m. to 11 p.m. so there is no reason to be unsafe most of the time. But, again, the neighborhood is rough and we are right by a large high school, where a lot of trouble stems from.